Hygiene Gym Sports Towel

ABSTRACT

A towel with a non-skid, antimicrobial, polyester mesh material (nylon PVC) backing affixed to the back of the towel for a person exercising or weight training at the gym. The non-skid antimicrobial side of the towel, protects the person from the spread of germs. The antimicrobial side of the towel acts like a barrier from the person and the exercise apparatus during usage. The towel is used to protect the person from the germs at the gym as well as use to wipe sweat from the body. The towel is comprised of two distinctive sides. Top side of the towel is made of a terry cloth material or other soft micro-fiber material. The bottom side of the towel contains the non-skid backing that helps keep the towel in place and allows the person to distinguish the side of the towel that lays on the exercise apparatus. The back also has Velcro closure strips across the top and approximately 4 inches down from the top. This offers the versatility of the towel to be able of wrapping over or hanging onto a bench or upright exercise machine with the use of Velcro on the top back side of the towel. 
     Towel could also be used in the locker or a sauna to allow the person to use it to sit on instead of sitting directly on the bench or the seats. The towel will be in a rectangular size either in the size of a hand towel or the size of a full size towel.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional applications No. 61/-1-,770 filed on Jan. 11, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to towels and more specifically relates to hygienic towels.

People who work out at the gym should use a towel when they are using exercise equipment to reduce the spread of fungal infections. They gym contains millions of germs. There are millions and millions of germs on the human skin. When anyone sweats, these germs come pouring off. Therefore, when a person uses exercise equipment in the gym, they are leaving behind germs. Since an exercise apparatus is continuously used by a variety of persons, the possibility of germs on a machine is likely. One recommended method of avoiding germs at the gym would be for a person to utilize an exercise towel to protect themselves from the germs.

It was observed that persons in the gym are completely focused on their workout regimen and not on the usage of their towel. Many individuals will utilize one side of their towel to wipe the sweat from their face or body and then place the towel on the exercise apparatus, not knowing exactly which side was previously placed on the exercise apparatus and, therefore, may be using the side with the germs.

A second observation was that, when a person uses a seated exercise apparatus with an ordinary towel and places their towel on the back of the seated bench, the towel slides to the bottom of the equipment thus exposing the individual to the germs on the machine if they are unaware of the towel falling. The towel sometimes even falls onto the dirty floor, where the individual will pick up the towel and not become aware of which side was previously in contact with the germy exercise apparatus. As a result, this causes the person to be exposed to the germs from the machine or previous machines during their workout regimen.

It has been a practice for a person who visits the gym and alike or who exercises carries with him/her an ordinary household towel to wipe perspiration. It becomes a health concern when the individual places the towel on the exercise apparatus and, not knowing which side was placed on the equipment, the individual uses the side of the towel that comes into contact with the germs. To avoid the spread of germs, it is necessary that the person uses the proper side of the towel and use a towel as a barrier on the machines. Also, to avoid a person from coming in contact with the bench-like exercise machines during his workout, when the towel slides down the back of the machine or falls off the machine, it is necessary to provide a towel that will stay in place during the workout on the machines.

Prior art reveals the need for a towel specifically designed to stay on the machines and has the versatility to be used on a bench like exercize apparatus and an upright apparatus and allow the person to use the side of the towel that was not in contact with the machines in order to prevent the transfer of germs onto his body. U.S. Published Pat. Application No. 2006/0105138 discloses a large towel cover that provides a conforming snug fit over the exercise apparatus. This towel has elastic borders to prevent the towel from moving and slipping off the equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,155 discloses a spa towel divided by color into sections, where one portion is used to remove perspiration from the user's face/body while another portion of the towel is used to remove perspiration from the fitness machine. U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,607 discloses a towel that includes a liquid-absorbing base layer and a plurality of discontinuously positioned raised projections projected away from the base layer of the towel. This towel is used for stability on a surface (any type of flooring material, table or other furniture, the ground or any other type of supporting surface) that can become slick or slippery when moisture is introduced onto the surface. U.S. Published Pat. Application No. 2006/01089463 discloses an exercise towel for storing at lease one personal item and comprises a main body, a sleeve portion and at one pocket. The sleeve portion fits over the main body of the exercise apparatus for use during workout.

The hygiene towel of the present invention differs from the towels described in the above patents and published applications as a result of the non-skid, antimicrobial backing that stops bacteria and thus aids in the prevention of germs spreading and the horizontal and vertical Velcro mating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a towel having an absorbent material used as the front base (side) with a non-skid, antimicrobial, polyester mesh material (or covered with a PVC or vinyl material or any other type of material that acts like a bacteria barrier backing) affixed to the back of the towel for a person exercising or weight training at the gym. The non-skid antimicrobial component of the backing helps stop mold and bacteria from spreading, thus protecting the person from the spread of germs. The non-skid antimicrobial side of the towel comes in contact with the exercise apparatus and thus comes in direct contact with the germs. The towel is used to protect the person from the germs at the gym as well as used to wipe perspiration from the person's body.

This towel can be used on various exercise apparatus' as a barrier between the person and the equipment. The towel is comprised of two distinctive sides. The top side of the towel is made of a terry cloth material or other absorbent or soft micro-fiber material. The bottom side of the towel contains the non-skid backing that helps keep the towel in place and allows the person to distinguish the side of the towel that comes in contact with the exercise apparatus. On the back of the towel, preferably top left and right corners of the towel on top of the backing, will contain 2 vertical strips of Velcro fasteners (one Velcro fastener on each side) and 2 vertical strips of Velcro fasteners along the side edges (approximately four inches down from the top). This offers the versatility of hooking or hanging the towel onto a bench or uprights exercise apparatus with the se of the Velcro fasteners.

The towel could also be used in he locker or a sauna for the person to use by sitting on it instead of sitting directly on the bench or the seats. The towel will be preferably in a rectangular shape, and either in the size of a hand towel or the size of a full length towel.

The towel is completely machine washable, making it easy to clean after each use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the hygiene gym towel and the absorbent material thereon formed in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 2 is a back view of the hygiene gym towel formed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hygiene gym towel formed in accordance with the present invention in it's horizontally folded orientation.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hygiene gym towel formed in accordance with the present invention in it's horizontally folded orientation.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hygiene gym towel formed in accordance with the present invention in it's vertically folded orientation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hygiene gym towel lying flat with polyester mesh side faced down and the soft terry side on top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems such as the confusion as to which side of the towel to use for the exerciser's face and body and which side touches the machine, and the problem of the towel sliding onto the floor down the back of the machine and the placement of the towel on an upright machine.

The present invention provides a towel to use for the gym or any other workout facility that will protect the person from the germs on the machines, as well as a device to use to wipe perspiration from the face and body. The invention has a top layer (FIG. 1) made of a terry cloth material or of any other material that absorbs sweat or perspiration from the face/body. The invention also has a bottom (base) layer (FIG. 2) made of a smooth flat, non-skid, non-adhesive, antimicrobial polyester or vinyl material (or any other similar material) that is sewn (or affixed in any other manner such as glued, tacked, stapled, etc.) to the top layer (FIG. 1) of the material. The non-skid backing is preferably attached to one side of the terry cloth layer (FIG. 1) covering the entire back of the towel. The non-skid backing (FIG. 6) is preferably sewn or affixed around the edges with the terry hem covering the edges of the backing material.

The back portion of the towel utilizes Velcro hook and loop fasteners to secure the towel in a plurality of orientations. Two vertical fasteners, a left vertical fastener 7 and a right vertical fastener 8, are secured to the upper end of the towel, preferably ½″ from the top edge of the towel (FIG. 1). The top vertical fasteners are preferably four inches in length. The left fastener 7 (that is, on the left side when viewing FIG. 2) is preferably the hook mating section and the right fastener 8 is preferably the loop mating section. Two vertical Velcro fasteners, a left vertical fastener 9 and a right vertical fastener 10, are secured towards the left and right edges, respectively, of the upper end of the towel (FIG. 1). The vertical fasteners 9, 10 are preferably about four inches from the top edge of the towel (FIG. 1). The left vertical fastener 9 is preferably the loop mating section and the right vertical fastener 10 is preferably the hook mating section. The Velcro fasteners 7, 8, 9, 10 may be affixed to the towel (FIG. 1) by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling or any other way known to affix such to a fabric material.

The specific orientation and placement of the hook and loop mating sections allow the towel to be folded in multiple orientations. For example, the towel may be folded horizontally (FIG. 3) along the short axis of the towel and the left vertical fastener (hook) 7 will mate with the left vertical fastener (look) 9 and the right vertical fastener (loop) 8 will mate with the right vertical fastener (hook) 10. Contrastingly, the towel may be folded vertically (FIG. 5) along the long axis of the towel and the left vertical fastener (hook) 7 will mate with the right horizontal fastener (loop) 8 and the left vertical fastener (loop) 9 will mate with the right vertical fastener (hook) 10. In the horizontal folding orientation, the towel 2 may be secured to a bench-type exercise apparatus, where the towel is fitted over the top portion of the bench, providing a double secure fit when folded over horizontally and then fitted securely over the back of any bench like exercise apparatus (11). Also, in the vertical folding orientation, where at least the top left and right Velcro fasteners 7, 8, are secured together, the towel (FIG. 1) may be secured about the arm or handle (12) of an exercise apparatus, such as where it is wrapped around the bar of a treadmill or upright standing exercise machine or any machine that has a pole or pipe-like structure.

The towel preferably will be approximately 16 inches×27 inches (but can be in a longer length for use in the locker room and in the sauna). The towel also may be placed on a dry surface and will not skid. In the disengaged state, when the Velcro fasteners are not mated, the towel (FIG. 1) of the present invention may be laid flat (FIG. 6) on an exercise apparatus.

The fabric used for the top layer (FIG. 1) can be of high quality or regular terry cloth material that is absorbent, light weight and quick drying. A micro-fiber material could be used. The towel (FIG. 1) may also be treated with a chemical (e.g., Silverion® disinfectant) that will combat the spread of infection, retard oders and wash cleaner than a conventional towel. This antimicrobial protection is preferably permanent and stands up against harsh commercial laundering. This is an added benefit to protect the person from the spread of germs. This Silverion® disinfectant combats the spread of infection and inhibits the growth of bacteria. Also, the chemical Silverion® controls the order in the towel.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

What is Featured is:

An exercise towel that consists of a base layer and an upper layer. The upper layer of the towel is made of an absorbent terry cloth towel like material to absorb perspiration and wipe sweat from the face and body. The upper layer of the towel could also be treated with a chemical (e.g., Silverion® disinfectant) which also aids in combating the spread of infection, and retards odor and the growth of bacteria.

The base layer of the towel contains a flat, level, non-skid, antimicrobial, polyester mesh (e.g., vinyl) material backing hat is sewn (or glued, stapled, taped or any other means to affix to the back) along the side and bottom edges of the upper layer portion of the towel. The side and bottom edges may contain a hem that overlaps the base layer material. The top side of the backing material will be sewn approximately one to about seven inches from the top of the towel. The backing material will be sewn across the top edge, together with the terry cloth (upper layer) of the towel. This material keeps the towel from slipping, sliding or falling off the machine. The antimicrobial material also aids in stopping the growth of bacteria, thus creating a barrier from the individual and the exercise apparatus.

The towel will preferably include four Velcro fastening strips. The Velcro fastening strips allows versatility in ways to keep towel on the machine. The strips allow the towel to attach to a machine that is upright as well as to a bench of a bench-type exercise machine and give the towel the versatility to lay flat. With the use of the Velcro fastening strips, the towel can be folded over as well as wrapped around a machine.

The Velcro fasteners are preferably two four inch strips horizontally affixed to the upper portion of the back of the terry cloth material (o any other type of material used). The four inch hook portion of the Velcro fasteners will be affixed (glued, taped, stapled, sewn or any other means to attach) on the upper right side, of the back of the terry cloth material.

Preferably, two two inch strips of Velcro fasteners are vertically affixed on the back of the towel about four to about six inches from the top and close to the edge of the back of the terry cloth material (or any other type of material used). The two inch hoop portion of the Velcro fasteners will be affixed (glued, taped, stapled, sewn or any other means to attach) on the back left side on top of the non-skid backing and the two inch loop portion of the Velcro fasteners will be affixed vertically (glued, taped, stapled, sewn or any other means to attach) on the back right side on top of the terry cloth material. 

1. A towel comprising: a. A sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; b. A flat, non-skid, antimicrobial, polyester mesh (e.g. vinyl) attached to said towel on said bottom surface; wherein said backing substantially covers said bottom surface of said sheet.
 2. The towel as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet is comprised of a cotton terry material.
 3. The towel as recited in claim 1, wherein said polyester mesh (e.g. vinyl) is comprised of nylon.
 4. The towel as recited in claim 1, wherein said polyester mesh is attached to said sheet by stitching.
 5. The towel as recited in claim 4 wherein said stitching holds said polyester mesh to said bottom surface of said sheet by stitching.
 6. The towel as recited in claim 4 wherein said stitching holds said polyester mesh to said bottom surface of said sheet such that the polyester mesh will allow the towel not to slip onto the floor.
 7. The towel as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one layer of nylon mesh covers said bottom surface.
 8. The towel as recited in claim 1, wherein said top surface is comprised of soft fabric loops.
 9. The towel as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet has Velcro closures attached to the bottom surface.
 10. The towel as recited in claim 9, wherein said Velcro is attached to bottom surface is attached to top corners of sheet and approx 4″ down from top.
 11. The towel as recited in claim 10, wherein said Velcro fasteners are 2 strips affixed to the top corners of sheet.
 12. The Velcro fasteners as recited in claim 11, wherein said Velcro in alternating mating position to allow the towel to close vertically and horizontally. 